KEARNEY, Neb. — The University of Nebraska could soon have the option to sell alcohol at all athletic events.

The Nebraska Board of Regents announced its agenda for its Friday, Oct. 4 meeting held in Kearney. It says the board will consider allowing alcohol sales and consumption at all University of Nebraska athletic events.

If the board gives its approval, Husker Athletics intends to offer alcohol at games for the 2025-26 season, including football and volleyball games in the fall.

“The University of Nebraska has put a great deal of thought and care into how we approach alcohol at our athletic events. I’m very pleased that we have shown we can do this safely, responsibly and in a way that makes sense for our fans, our student-athletes and the institution as a whole,” President Dr. Jeff Gold said in a statement. “This is the next step as we consider how best to meet our fans’ expectations, carefully monitor safety and at the same time bring Nebraska in line with our peers in today’s changing college athletics landscape.”

Approving the policy would bring Nebraska even with its Big Ten peers, all of which currently sell alcohol at football games.

In Sept. 2022, the board approved a two-year trial run of selling alcohol at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln for Husker basketball games. The Huskers started selling alcohol at Haymarket Park for baseball and softball games in the spring.

“Alcohol sales have been successfully and safely implemented at Pinnacle Bank Arena and Haymarket Park in recent years,” Huskers Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. “Our success in those venues with alcohol sales, combined with our recent and planned infrastructure upgrades, has informed us we are prepared to provide the same opportunity at Memorial Stadium, the Bob Devaney Sports Center, and our other facilities, beginning with the 2025-26 athletic season.”

The university says it will use a portion of the revenues generated from alcohol sales to help fund alcohol safety programs.

The proposed policy extends beyond just the Huskers. A university spokesperson says the policy includes UNK and UNO. Those campus chancellors and athletic directors would have to want to sell alcohol and have a plan to do so. UNO currently sells alcohol at Mavericks hockey games.

The meeting will be hosted at UNK’s new Regional Engagement Center, which is part of University Village. The meeting is open to the public.

Other items for the Board’s consideration include:

·         Creation of a bachelor’s degree in applied leadership studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. (Addendum XI-A-3)

·         Allowing the president to finalize a contract to replace two grass practice fields for Husker Football located north of the Osborne Legacy Complex. The project will result in improved safety for student-athletes and overall maintenance of the practice fields. (Addendum XI-B-2)

·         A budget increase for the outdoor track replacement project at Husker Athletics which would allow for phase II of work to proceed. The second phase includes a press box, stadium seating, restrooms, concessions and IT infrastructure work. (Addendum XI-B-3)